Even with the No. 27 pick in Thursday night’s 2018 NBA draft, Boston Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge is expected to make things interesting on a night they don’t have to do much of anything.
With both Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving returning from injury, the Celtics find themselves in a unique position where they don’t need to rely on the draft for another piece.
Coming off a season in which the team went to the Eastern Conference Finals without their big stars and led by their last four first-round picks (Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier), Ainge could stand pat at No. 27 in hopes of getting a complimentary player.
But why would he do a thing like that?
With rumors swirling that the team is looking to move up to get as high as the No. 3 pick overall, the Boston Celtics could end up being the talk of a draft they weren’t expected to make much noise in.
It would be tough, but Ainge and the Celtics have all their bases covered. If they do somehow get into the top 10 via trade, they will be prepared to take whoever is available.
"“We’re evaluating the entire draft, and we’re preparing ourselves to be anywhere in the draft – whatever happens,” Ainge said in a conversation with the Boston Herald. “We could be in the middle of the draft or anywhere.”"
How high Danny Ainge could move up (if he moves up) will depend on which team or teams he can lure into a deal without having to part ways with Brown, Tatum or Irving.
That may be the tougher part for the Celtics GM as many teams don’t want to be the next team fleeced by Trader Danny.
If a deal gets done, here are three Top 10 prospects on Danny Ainge’s wish list.
Mo Bamba
Rumors about the Boston Celtics moving up in the draft first emerged in early June and those rumors centered about Texas big man Mo Bamba.
According to the Sporting News, Boston was believed to have expressed interest in Bamba after the team interviewed him in a pre-draft combine workout in Chicago back in May.
Impressed by his 7-10 wingspan, the Celtics were believed to be intrigued enough to target the big man in this year’s draft despite having the No. 27 pick in the draft.
Of course, back when they interviewed him, the team was holding hope that they would have a top 3 selection if the Los Angeles Lakers pick –acquired in last year’s draft with the Philadelphia 76ers –fell either No. 2 or No. 3 in the draft lottery.
With them lucking out on that pick, Ainge and the Celtics will have to come up with some kind of intriguing package to get high enough for Mo Bamba.
Can the Celtics get high enough to go after a player like Bamba?
The answer is yes, depending on what and who they are willing to give up.
With both the Memphis Grizzlies (No. 4) and Dallas Mavericks (No. 5) open to dealing their picks, a deal will be there. However, if that involves Jalen Brown, Ainge will have to walk away.
What Mo Bamba gives the Celtics
An elite physical talent, Mo Bamba would give the Celtics the rim protector they have been lusting after. Offensively, he is able to provide some offense.
Michael Porter Jr.
An intriguing option is forward Michael Porter Jr.
As a player with an impressive skill set, Porter Jr. is this year’s draft biggest mystery and one Danny Ainge and the Boston Celtics are willing to solve.
Before his well-documented back issues, Porter Jr. was considered a potential No. 1 pick, but due to his health concerns he may drop to a spot in the draft the Celtics have more of a real shot at trading up to.
He may very well end up a top 5 pick, but whoever selects him will be taking a risk if selected that high. This is where the gambling hand of Danny Ainge will play in. If the Missouri product slides, the Celtics could get a player once valued as one of the top 2 picks in the draft.
How high they are willing to move up and give up to take that risk is the big question.
What Michael Porter Jr. gives the Celtics
Michael Porter Jr. can stretch the floor with his outside shooting ability. With a nice inside-outside game offensively, Brad Stevens would have more flexibility in what combinations he uses on the floor.
There is also a lot of upside to Porter Jr’s game that has not been reached. If healthy, he could be a tremendous addition for the Boston Celtics or whatever team takes a chance on him.
Luka Doncic
European League star Luka Doncic appears to be the big prize for Danny Ainge.
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The 6-foot-8, 19-year-old point guard is a rare talent who could be the Boston Celtics answer to Ben Simmons. Considered at one point to be the No. 1 pick overall in the 2018 NBA Draft, Ainge would have to give up the remainder of his stockpile of future draft picks to get a player like Doncic.
With the Atlanta Hawks strongly believed to select Doncic at No. 3, the Celtics would have to part with Terry Rozier, this year’s first-round pick as well as next year’s Sacramento Kings pick to even entice the Hawks in a conversation.
Since Atlanta has two other first-round picks, a potential deal to add another first rounder this year and more first round picks in the next two drafts may intrigue the Hawks. Unless they ask for Jalen Brown as part of the deal, Ainge will be willing to give up his all his future draft stock if he believes Doncic is the real deal, which it appears he does.
What Doncic gives the Celtics
The young EuroLeague MVP would give the Boston Celtics some size in the background. A versatile guard who would pass and score the basketball would complement Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving perfectly.
Because of the star power the Celtics already have, he wouldn’t have too much pressure to produce right away. Playing under a coach like Brad Stevens, he would be put in the best position to succeed.
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Is he worth a roll of the dice? Danny Ainge typically wins these types of gambles. Until he loses one, it’s in Ange we trust.